My Greek Kitchen - Pastitso (Print it)

PASTITSO

I've heard Pastitso described as the Greek version of lasagna. Well, perhaps that's as close a description as we can get. If you come up with a more accurate parallel, feel free to share it with me. Pastitso consists of layers of elbow macaroni, parmesan cheese and a spicy meat filling, all held together by a rich cream sauce.

YOUR TOOLS
Roasting pan 11x14x2 or similar.

SERVES: 10
TEMP: 400 degrees for approximately 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

	MEAT LAYER
1 T	Butter
1	Medium onion, chopped fine
2 lb	Ground beef
1	6 oz. can tomato paste
2 tsp.	Allspice
1 tsp.	Nutmeg
1 tsp.	Cinnamon
2	Eggs, well beaten

	PREPARATION

	Heat butter in large frying pan. Saute' onions. Add ground beef and saute' until pink is gone. Stir in tomato paste diluted with 3/4 cup water; add spices; add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer about 5 minutes. Uncover and simmer another 5 minutes to reduce liquid. Remove from heat. REFRIGERATE in order to congeal the fat; then remove the fat. Mix in beaten eggs and set aside.

	MACARONI LAYERS
1-1/2 lbs	Elbow macaroni
2	Eggs, well beaten
1 C	Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/2 C	Butter Cook macaroni according to package directions. Do NOT overcook. Drain well. Put half of macaroni in a bowl. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Spread in your baking pan and sprinkle with 1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese. Spread meat mixture over macaroni layer. Add the remainder of the macaroni and sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese. Melt butter and pour over Parmesan layer.

	CREAM SAUCE LAYER
4	Eggs, beaten to a froth
3 C	Milk
1 C	Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 T	Flour
	Nutmeg (optional)
	Salt

Blend milk into beaten eggs; add cheese, flour and salt to taste. Pour over meat-macaroni layers. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg (optional).

Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Remove foil and bake 45 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Remove from oven and let stand approximately 15 minutes before cutting Pastitso into squares.

Pastitso is terrific served with a green salad. It also freezes well. To re-heat, let it thaw and then bake in oven at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.

My Greek Kitchen	Baklava	Moussaka
Pastitso	Spanakopita	Working With Phyllo

Feel free to EMAIL ME if you have any problems or questions.